Shirley MacLaine replaced an actress in a Broadway musical on short notice and that show propelled her into a successful Hollywood career. What actress did she replace and what Broadway musical was it?
She replaced Carol Haney about one month into the run when Haney was injured. MacLaine had virtually no time to prep as she found out that night when she arrived for her call. She was a huge hit. That was the Broadway musical The Pajama Game. By the way, Haney won the Tony that year for her performamce.